1 week ago
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The Senate today debated amendments to Belize’s national honours system aimed at formally recognising citizens who display exceptional bravery, courage and patriotism. The National Honours and Awards Amendment Bill proposes the creation of two new forms of recognition: the Order of National Pride and Patriotism Excellence and an Award of Valour. The Award of Valour would honour people who risk their lives or make extraordinary sacrifices to protect others during dangerous situations. During the debate, Senator Janelle Chanona recalled the hijacking of a Tropic Air domestic flight on April 17, 2025. Chanona reflected on the fear experienced by those onboard and the bravery displayed during the crisis.
Janelle Chanona, NGO Senator: “Because I think the fact that we tracked the ordeal, if I felt like that was a near-death experience for me I think what really hit home in tracking live the ordeal that that Tropic Air flight endured shortly after it left Corozal, I think we begin to just get a slight indication of what those passengers must have been feeling and thinking about throughout. And then when we started getting those photos of passengers bleeding and realizing there was a baby on board, it was just the most heart-wrenching experience. And then to know that the heroes stepped in when they needed to I will tell you, Madam President, it is one of those things that I can’t reconcile when you see people responding to an emergency situation and the first thing they do is pull out their phones instead of rushing for help. And here we had Belizeans stepping forward, putting their own lives at risk to save others. So I’m proud to support the move of creating a Belizean honor that recognizes those who in times of great, great, great and grave danger that put themselves for others and respond with bravery. And I’m proud to support Captain Grange.”
The incident exposed a gap in Belize’s existing national awards system. While the country has awards for distinguished and meritorious service, there was no specific national decoration for courage and self-sacrifice in life-threatening situations. Senator Glenfield Dennison supported the proposed amendments. He spoke about the importance of ensuring that extraordinary acts of courage are not forgotten and that Belizeans who put themselves in danger to protect others receive meaningful national recognition.
Glenfield Dennison, Unions Senator: “The National Hero’s Award is a very short piece of legislation which has in section three currently the Order of National Hero, the Order of Belize, the Order of Distinction, the Meritorious Service Award, the Service Medal on Honor and the Long Service Medal. but the gap that would have been identified further to the hijacking of the Tropic Air flight on the 17th of April 2025 really does highlight not just the the bravery and valor of Belizeans but the great calmness of mind and just outright brilliance to think so pellucidly under pressure. I want to know if we’re going to give the man ten acres of land to go farm. Can I make that request ? Can we ask for this award to not just be a medal ? Could we give him a little farm ? Because it’s really nice to recognize but I’m not sure of his physical state now but he’s a pilot by profession and in instances where he would not be able to carry on his profession in the future I think the safety net of the state really could be engaged to assist him to ensure that he doesn’t have to suffer any more mental anguish that would come as a result of being unable to provide through the profession which he chose.”
The aircraft was travelling from Corozal to San Pedro when an armed passenger seized control of the flight and demanded to be taken out of Belize. The hijacker stabbed pilot Howell Grange and two passengers during the ordeal. Despite being injured, Grange remained at the controls and safely landed the aircraft at the Philip Goldson International Airport. One of the injured passengers, who was carrying a licensed firearm, shot the hijacker and helped to bring the emergency to an end. This legislation also seeks to provide greater recognition for Belizeans who demonstrate exceptional patriotism, loyalty and distinguished service to the country. Prime Minister John Briceño first presented the bill in the House of Representatives on July 31. At the time, he identified Captain Howell Grange’s actions during the hijacking as a clear example of the type of bravery that the Award of Valour is intended to recognise.
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